Non-evacuated and evacuated

receivers for concentrating process

heat collectors

Matthias Rommel
SPF - Institut fr Solartechnik
University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil (HSR)

Introduction
Most concentrating process heat collectors use non-evacuated receivers
Industrial Solar uses the Schott PRT70 receiver for its linear Fresnel
collector. But the absorber tube has a diameter of 70 mm which is much
larger than the absorber tubes of most parabolic trough collectors for
process heat.

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New Generation of SCHOTT Receivers

A Neodym YAG Laser (=1064 nm) is used to open a Xenon fielld capsule. This will reduce the heat loss of the
receiver even if the hot tube phenomenon occured and H2 is present in the evacuated annulus. The heat losses will be
reduced to a level of 130-140% of the heat losses at original vacuum situation (p< 10-3 mbar).

Quelle: SolarPaces 2013, Sohr et al., Laser induced

release of encapsulated noble gas in SCHOTT receiver

Introduction
Which technical advantages could be achieved by evacuated receivers for
concentrating process heat collectors ?
Some model-based calculation results are presented here for a discussion
if there is interest in the development of evacuated receivers for process
heat collectors

NEP PT1800 collector on test site of SPF

Diameter of absorber tube:
34 mm
Diameter of glass tube:
56 mm

(PRT70: 70 mm)
(PRT70: 110 mm)

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Receiver model used for calculations

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Parameter variations investigated

absorber tube outer diameter 25.7 mm
absorber tube inner diameter 23 mm
solar absorptivity coefficient 94%
IR-emissivity coefficient 5%, 18% and 90%

glass tube outer diameter 56 mm

glass tube inner diameter 52 mm

evacuated and non-evacuated receiver (air)

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Non-evacuated receivers
Calculated heat loss coefficients UL
The calculated
UL-values are
based on the
outer absorber
tube area

Typically UL
values are about
7 W m-2 K-1
for non-evacuated
receivers.

FRESH NRG Workshop Rapperswil - March 20 2014

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Evacuated receivers
Calculated heat loss coefficients UL
The calculated
UL-values are
based on the
outer absorber
tube area

Typically UL
values are about
1 to 2 W m-2 K-1
for evacuated
receivers.

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Comparison of efficiency curves

The possible improvements in the
efficiency curve depend on the
concentration factor and the optical
parameters of the collector.
In this calculated example the
efficiency for absorber
temperatures of 200C is
increased from about 60% to 73%.
Additional advantages:
- no condensation problems
- selective absorber protected
against environment

Discussion on interest in the

development of evacuated
receivers for process heat
collectors?
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